Transforming China's Cities
China is witnessing the largest migration in human history: More than 300 million people will move to China’s cities in the next 20 years. Many of China’s new cities and developments feature mega-blocks, 10-lane expressways, and urban sprawl that resemble much of U.S. urban development patterns. Without appropriate urban planning, design, and construction focused on sustainable development, the consequence of this massive urbanization in energy, emissions, and livability could be dire for China, and the world.
Fortunately, China’s national government and an increasing number of local leaders recognize the imprudence of this development pattern and seek a low-carbon development approach. The work of the China Sustainable Energy Program of the Energy Foundation is aimed at promoting sustainable urban development that focuses on people and encourages compact, mixed-use, and transit-oriented development, as well as green transportation systems.
Speaker
Hosted By
China Environment Forum
Since 1997, the China Environment Forum's mission has been to forge US-China cooperation on energy, environment, and sustainable development challenges. We play a unique nonpartisan role in creating multi-stakeholder dialogues around these issues. Read more
Urban Sustainability Laboratory
Since 1991, the Urban Sustainability Laboratory has advanced solutions to urban challenges—such as poverty, exclusion, insecurity, and environmental degradation—by promoting evidence-based research to support sustainable, equitable and peaceful cities. Read more
Global Risk and Resilience Program
The Global Risk and Resilience Program (GRRP) seeks to support the development of inclusive, resilient networks in local communities facing global change. By providing a platform for sharing lessons, mapping knowledge, and linking people and ideas, GRRP and its affiliated programs empower policymakers, practitioners, and community members to participate in the global dialogue on sustainability and resilience. Empowered communities are better able to develop flexible, diverse, and equitable networks of resilience that can improve their health, preserve their natural resources, and build peace between people in a changing world. Read more